NATIONAL publisher The Lead is teaming up with Warrington Worldwide as part of a second wave of local newsletters and print editions.
Following the successful launch of weekly email newsletters for Blackpool, Bolton, Stoke-on-Trent and Teesside the focus will be put back on the North West.
Launching throughout April and May will be The Hyndburn Lead, The Altrincham & Sale Lead as well as The Warrington Lead.
The Lead is launching in ten places across the North of England and printing 200,000 free newspapers during the course of 2024.
Following the launch of the email newsletters there will be a print edition of each title produced, in Altrincham and Warrington these will be distributed in association with the established hyperlocal titles alongside their current free print products.
Warrington Worldwide’s Founder/Owner Gary Skentelbery said: “After being at the forefront of digital news when we launched Warrington Worldwide in April 1999 as the first independent daily online newspaper in the UK, we are excited to be involved with the launch of the Lead in Warrington.
“It is a real boost for small independent publishers to be able to collaborate as part of a bigger network and extend the reach of Warrington Worldwide even further.
“It will also help provide much-needed manpower to help investigate time consuming issues which sadly sometimes get by-passed due to time constraints.
“As always, we will continue to provide a balanced, independent voice for Warrington covering the important local issues for our ever-increasing readership.
Lead Editor (North), Ed Walker, said: “We’ve seen a strong response to our in-depth features and news exploring issues in all the places we’ve launched in so far.
“Through partnering with existing publications, like Gary and Worldwide, it’s important to recognise the good local journalism already going on and ensure as The Lead we’re working to complement that.
“We’re looking forward to digging into issues in the town and getting under the skin of what’s happening in Warrington.”
To sign up for the weekly bnewslatter visit https://thelead.eo.page/warrington
Walker is leading the Northern hub with a fellow ex-Reach colleague, former Lancs Live and Curiously editor Luke Beardsworth as senior editor (north).
Its creation and expansion are funded by Mike Harris, The Lead’s owner who also owns advocacy-oriented communications firm 89up.
Harris, a former head of advocacy at Index on Censorship, committed a six-figure sum in 2023 and recommitted in 2024 with a further six figures.
